Visualizing tools for supporting accounting decisions: simplifying the complex

This paper is intended to underpin a poster presentation on the use of visual tools for improving accounting decision-making. It introduces the intention behind decision support for accounting practice by reference to cognition and pattern recognition and sets out briefly a research agenda for providing tools to achieve such support. The possibilities in this endeavour are illustrated by a taxonomy of visualisation decision support tools in this area: theoretical; theoretical/empirical; empirical. Three past examples of this are presented, to illustrate this taxonomy. These represent extant research which the authors have undertaken themselves in the accounting areas of information system evolution, choice of international reporting standards, and real options for small firms. A final example is provided of ongoing research by the authors, supported by the IMA, which has a focus on visualisation tools to assist in raising enterprise performance. This final example examines and represents visually the global relationship between small firm performance and intellectual property as measured by filings and grants for patents.